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I know it’s probably a huge inconvenience, but Dakari Johnson, your teammate, just sent his 265-pound frame into the front row trying to recover an airball. It might be nice of one of you to, oh, ya know, go see if he’s okay and help him up.

Wait… never mind, LSU’s point guard is checking on him. Thanks anyway, guys.

Watch Anthony Hickey walk past James Young and Julius Randle to check on Dakari after he hustled for the loose ball.

Of all the things to be upset about in last night’s game, this one might take the cake. Young looked directly at Dakari, who was still on the ground at that point, and turned and walked the other direction.

Nothing wrong with this comment, these players are not UK fans either. This is one reason why it is hard to like these guys. If I am coaching and a player leaves his teammate like that, that guy sits the rest of the game. There is no excuse for not helping a teammate but we almost never do. I want my old UK tradition back, players who love the game, love the name on their chest, play all out all the time and are here for 3-4 years for us to fall in love with. These so called superstar players can take their ego and selfishness anywhere else.

probably didn’t have to do that in high school , you know , where they were told how great they are . (sarcasm ) . This is another reason I could care less if Matt Elam plays pigskin for UK .If he acts like this now (recruiting circus he provides ) , don’t look for a teammate in him !

How is this a reflection on the coach? The NC team helped each other all the time. This team needs leadership and everyone to learn to rally around that guy. Someone that would help every time…instinctively. Cal has talked about this stuff, but for some reason it ain’t happening.

I enjoy watching Murray State play way more than Kentucky at this point. They may not be as talented but at least they play as a team and for the community. Every player I talk to from Murray State is humble and ready to prove themselves, can’t say that for this group of UK players.

I love James, and I think he’s the most talented player on this team, but I don’t think getting enough looks is the kid’s problem. He shoots a lot, bro. Like, a whole lot. I’m actually for him shooting as much as he does, but to say he isn’t getting enough touches is crazy.

Im right there too Etown. Long time fan, still am…and, I will continue to watch the team. But the days of getting any semblance of hope up that this group will somehow come together and gel into a cohesive unit is fading fast.

Alex Poythress only person standing on the sidelines. You can see him pointing out to everyone on the floor that Dakari went down, but I guess he couldn’t go check on him without drawing a T for leaving the bench?

That is correct. He would get a T for leaving the bench. Somehow though, Cal manages to get more time on the court than half our bench, and makes physical contact with one of his players during live game action without consequence – first time I’ve ever seen that watching college basketball…except for that time last year when Cal kicked one of his players at Vandy.

Good eye. He’s the only one on the bench that was ready to celebrate if Andrew makes that shot. Start him. Poy is finally coming into his own and can finally make a difference in this season. I don’t care who sits. Alex Poythress needs to start…if only for the reason that he actually would have helped Dakari on that play; but also because he does what is needed of him for the overall success of the team.
I’m hoping that this is as bad as it gets, but it feels like I easier that so many times already this season.

Also, is it just a coincidence that when another team talks smack before a certain game, that team beats us? All season long, it’s happened. MSU, Baylor, UNC and now LSU. They all said they’d beat us or that we weren’t more talented than their team, and then backed it up. It’s embarrassing.

Im starting not to like this team at all. We have regressed to playing exactly like we did to start the year. Im actually not sure that we aren’t playing worse then we did at beginning of the year. These kids don’t care about winning a NC for UK. They care about looking good while they lose and hop to the NBA. After the last two seasons Im losing faith that Calipari and his way of doing things are the way we need to be going. Kansas had a better recruiting class than us If you ask me now because their players are actually beating teams and improving. I hate the Jayhawks but they would run us out of the gym and out of our own state If they played us In Rupp on Saturday.

It’s a lack of team and a great point. I have never seen a game where someone went down like this and their teammates not check on him. You must not have ever been on a TEAM because that’s what teammates are suppose to do is help your other teammates. These guys could care less. Geez. Not a big deal. It’s HUGE dude.

Im the greatest. So what if i dont know what im doing half the time. So what if i still try to drive and shoot through 3 to 4 defenders instead of passing to an open teammate. Im in the conversation for The Wooden, im the greatest….lol crazy

I’m only going to say they have regressed to how they were in Nov/Early Dec if this happens for more than just one game. They played 3 solid games before LSU, let’s wait to fully give up on this team if they crash and burn like this on Saturday.

After 50 or so yrs watching/listening to UK games, I actually turned off a UK game and went to bed not caring the outcome. Why care when it is obvious the team(some) don’t? Throwing hands up in the air when an error is made or a teammate doesn’t cover his area, arguing with your coach on the bench, and down right selfish play and unconcern for your teammates. Do they really think the pros want that type of player???? There is only one, maybe two players ready for the next level. The pro players would kill anyone who acted like some of the UK players are doing at this point. If they played QB or RB on the football team, it would be time for the OLine to open the gates and let the defense crunch their team mates a couple of times to prove a point…we lose as a team and we win as a team, and no one player is beyond covering his teammate’s rear end.

40 year alum here Sandman, and I could not have written my sentiments about this team one word better than what you just described. Outside of our Billy G years, I too, turned off the game before it ended. Just could not stomach it any longer.

@38, I think you may need to get re-hydrated before you offer opinions Because, unless you’re being sarcastic, you’ve won the award for missing the point. It doesn’t matter if he’s on the way up….the point is that guys who have each other’s backs are not going to look and walk away when a teammate has sacrificed himself to try to get that ball……especially when the opposing team’s player is making that effort. Drew’s dug up the most damning piece of evidence about how these guys really feel….and I would (continue to) contrast that with Jorts beaming Sullinger on the out of bounds play in the 2011 tournament…….one symbolizes the galvanizing fire of a team coming together to win……and the other symbolizes a team that is regressing quickly and is on the verge of potentially collapsing. Let’s hope these guys can get it right and learn how to have each other’s backs.

Has anyone noticed that we appreciate the guys that are playing hard are the ones who understand and know what the program is about. James Young’s favorite player was Tayshaun, and always loved UK. Dakari played ball in Kentucky. Hood Polson and Hawkins grew up here always loved the program and know it’s a dream come true to put that jersey on. You can count Willis too I guess. These are not the best players on the team but when they are out there they put forth a full effort and everything I see from our comments is(mostly) nothing but love. I appreciate all the guys on our team and all of Cal’s teams. Just kinda realized how we looked at those guys specifically

Let’s just let the season play out before we say this is the worst team ever. They can still make a run in March. They are obviously not comfortable outside of Rupp right now but the SEC Tournament will show if we can win on a neutral floor in March. So wait till then

The best part of the 66 comments prior to mine is that the majority of bought into the ’40-0′ and ‘greatest recruiting class of all time’ hype. Yet, we’re at the same point we were last year with better players. This team with the exception of Polson, Hood, Hawkins and Willis knows what that Kentucky jersey means, no one else cares. This isn’t a team and this isn’t Kentucky basketball. None of these players would throw or take a punch for their teammates.

Could it be that it appears as if Hickey is checking on Dakari b/c he has the ball in his hands and is at the baseline to inbound the ball? This team is frustrating to watch and Young/Randle should have went over to Dakari, but let’s not act as if the LSU players were running over to him.

I personally thought, and still think, Calipari’s first class of Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, Orton and Dodson were a bunch of thugs, but at least they had each other’s back and actually competed as a team. I can at least respect that much about them. But this group is composed of a bunch of BRATS all fighting for the spotlight. I personally hope everyone of them declare for the NBA draft after this season, except for maybe Poythress & Johnson. Please, please NBA G.M.s, keep on telling the Harrisons, Randle, Young, and Cauley-Stein that they’re ready for the NBA.

I’m not comparing the two groups, but I am comparing the fanbase’s reaction to them. In 2011, after we had lost 5 or 6 road games in conference, people all over the place were saying the exact same thing as they are now. “Screw this, I’m done with this team.” “These guys are bunch of pussies that can win on the road.” “This is ridiculous, get a new coach that recruits 4-year players.”

Then in March, despite losing in the Final Four, everybody LOVED that team. And everybody was about to LOVE this team, until last night. Get a grip, guys. It was a bad game, we played terribly, no question. But I think we are scrutinizing too much. They’re young kids, getting embarrassed on national television. Frustration sets in. We’ve seen it a million times, with plenty of other teams. Not just ours. Is it concerning? Sure…But I don’t think last night was the end-all, be-all of this team.

And how can we go from taking huge strides, and improving to the point we are about the turn into the team we all thought we would be, to the wheels are falling off and we are spiraling out of control in ONE GAME?

I’m frustrated and angry at the effort, just like everybody else. But what if we go into Columbia on Saturday and get a big win? Is everything ok then? If we go up there and lose, I might start to change my tune. But right now, I’m writing this off as an old-fashioned egg-laying and moving on. And I’m hoping the team finds the fire they’ve shown in spurts, learns from this debacle, and takes it out on the Missouri Tigers.

There is no such thing as a big win outside of Fla in the SEC this year. So if we win at Columbia it proves nothing except maybe how really awful we are by losing. You know who else won in Columbia? Georgia. You know who beat LSU at Baton Rouge? Rhode Island. The reason people are frustrated is because we have the most talented team in the country, according to scouts who do this for a leaving, as well as a heap of college bball analysts. A team thought by many, not just UK fans, to be one of the best teams ever assembled, is why everyone is frustrated. Not because of 5 losses or anything else. So, no Missouri will not be a big win, not even if we win by 30, and it will not ease frustration.

I think a new uni is in order for the rest of the SEC season; one that has Kentucky on the front with the letters “AAU” under it so that every time “they” look at each other they can see who they are and how they are playing.

Last night was.horrendous.No cohesion or love.Stop babying them Cal. Start a line up of Polsen, Hawkins, Willis, Hood and Johnson. At least with this lineup you know you get a group of fighters for each other and know what they’ll accomplish. I think you will agree, your “process” is broken.

I think he should start dakari over willie, alex over Aaron Harrison and move James Young to the two. Its bigger yes–but it also has more scoring punch. And honestly I love Cal–but he has to be looking at the game tape and see Alex and Dakari are on a different level effort wise–he has to reward that if he wants the team to follow suit.

its effin ridiculous. There aint no heart or soul with twins WCS or coach. There all soft and privledged and don’t like working or busting. Too much blah blah blah on what could be and they can be in NBA and practice. You got to pay ur dues first like any other job. You just dont get handed stuff, you gotta earn it and none of them get it. Cal keeps talking about practice, but there outdone by hungrier team. That works for garner webb, but not major teams cuz there bigger and faster an have there hearts.

Wow. I thought Andrew standing flat footed under the hoop at Arkansas was the signature play of this awful team, but we have a new leader.

All of these guys are Archie clones. Archie said recently his draft stock dropped because of the NIT… Wrong Dumbass, because you don’t understand team basketball and hustle, your team lost a lot more than their talent would dictate. Thus because you have no concept of how to play as part of a unit, the NBA values you less.

Change roommate assignments at the lodge and on the road. Break the twins up, make freshman room with older players, and prepare an informational presentation to their teammates about their new roommate.

As many have stated we will need to wait until March to see where this team truly stands but one thing’s for sure, at this point things are beginning to look bleak. Missouri is going to be smelling blood in the water and that place will be rocking. I think the only thing that provides a win Saturday will be a major change in the starting lineup. Hopefully this will inspire some guys.

I think that game was the straw that broke the camels back for me. I honestly expected to lose one of these two road games but not like that. Just got dominated from start to finish by a very mediocre team. No fight at all except from Dakari. Once again a zone confounds Cal and no adjustments are made to deal with it. Andrew gets schooled by a former Mr. Kentucky. No way this team is going anywhere in the tourney. Another loss Saturday and we may not even make the tourney. This team is actually getting worse as the season goes on. It feels a lot like last season at this point. Three more losses are coming for sure. Possibly more. Since we’ve shown any mediocre team can beat us on the road.

This is a symbol of the lack of team chemistry with this group. A collection of Prima Donnas who have not adjusted from being “the man” in high school. I would like to see the twins on the bench. At least then we can play kids that appreciate the uniform and understand the tradition. Bench them!

Some of you ‘fans’ are seriously ill! Get a grip on your life. There’s more out there for you…..
This team is a bunch of 18-21 year-olds and you are letting them dictate your joy in life!? Damn….They’re 15-5 and we’re not even finished with January. Have some perspective!

To be fair, Hickey stayed there because he was going to receive the inbounds pass, he just gave him a five. It’s not like he “checked” on him. Doesn’t excuse our guys, but no reason to exaggerate the truth.

It is blatantly obvious these players don’t like each other. They never pick each other up physically or emotionally when things go wrong. And way too many defensive plays they are just standing around and watching the action blow right by them. I think the people who pegged the Harrisons for caring about each other and no one else were right. If any of you players are reading this I challenge you to prove me wrong. Play for each other.

no big deal. by the time he would have got there DJ would have been up. these arent old men they dont need anyone helping them up everytime. If he was 2 feet away then yeah, but you are wrong here because our guys help 99% of the time. get over yourself. btw way i wont be back to hear your girly excuses

Born in KY and will always have love for the Cats, even though I am a Longhorn. KY fans need to remember this is what they asked for, bargain with the devil and this is what you get. Let’s get a bunch of kids that don’t give a rat’s ass about the state, university, etc., let ‘em play one year go pro, and you end up with this heartless product on the court. You can argue it’s the rules and Cal’s the best at recruiting, but it is disheartening to see. Mix a few one and dones with some good chemistry guys that will stick around for a minute. Love D Hawkins and Dakari, even starting to like Poythress, but the rest only care about their NBA future. I truly dislike Cal, sorry but I do…great recruiter, decent coach, terrible person for KY.

Maybe you should ask all the Kentuckians who have benefitted from Cal’s charitable works whether he is a terrible person for KY. Ask the people of West Liberty about how they feel since the tornado devastated their city and Cal raised a lot of money for them. Ask all of the charities that the alumni games have raised millions for in this state how they feel about whether Cal is a terrible person for KY. You don’t live here anymore and have no clue what Cal is doing for this state so your opinion counts for nil. Stay in Texas, we don’t want you back.

…meant to finish KY basketball. Is this Coach Cal? You’re a little sensitive regarding Cal, don’t you think? I appreciate his charitable contributions to the state, there is just something about him I don’t like, and I can’t exactly put a finger on it. I do disagree with putting a bunch of “mercenaries” on the floor. I guess in the end winning is everything. I miss the teams that were likable, had a vested interest in the state of KY and still won. Amateur athletics are not what they used to be. I believe Davy Crockett said it best, “You can all go to hell, I will go to Texas.”

Come on guys! Honestly I just want to see you play hard, and be there for your teammates!!!! For the love don’t give us one more thing to hang our heads about. Now get your heads out of your butts and get to work!